Convoluted spring



July 1 9, 1932. A H ADAMS L867723 l l CONVOLUTED SPRING Filed Oct. 20, 1928 2 sheets-sheet 1 Z6 i v Ziyi,

mf" C ARTHQ R H. Ranma, INVENTOR His ATroRNEY Filed oct. 2o. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 R O -f w f au ,A z a M j n. l R U f a, m n l a a, m www! z 0% Ll X f W B is ATTORNEY Patented 19, l1932 UNITED STATES;-

PATENT@ oFFlcE ARTHUR E. ADAMS, OF YONKERS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO TROY LAUNDRY MACHIN- ERY COMPANY, INC.,` OF NEW YORK, N. Y.,A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE coNvoLu'rED srnINe i Application tiled October 20, 1928. Serial No. 313,858.

10 jects to produce a closely wound skewed spring which has a maximum of resiliency in a. direction perpendicular to the axis of thel spring convolutions.

As described in said applications, the charm acteristics of skewed springs render them particularl advantageous in providing a resilient sur ace which is capable of localized compression Without permanent deforma-- tion, such surfaces, for example, being employed in laundry machines, paper machines and the like. Accordingly, another object of the invention is to produce a resilient paddin of the type disclosed in application Serial No. 245,180, in which the resilient element consists of a skewed convoluted spring which has a maximum of transverse resiliency for a given size of spring convolution.

A feature of the invention resides in the method of forming a skewed convoluted spring with the alternate convolutions of diiierent sizes. As a result of this manner of forming the spring, the convolutions may he situated very close together without correspondingly curtailng the local compressihility of the spring convolutions in a .direction transverse to the common axis.

A further feature is to providea resiliently padded roll or the' like employing as a resilient element thereof skewed springs having square or rectangular shaped convolutions.

Another feature pertains to the means for uniting the free ends of a coiled spring which is wrapped around a roll or other equivalentsurface.

As is well known, laundry rolls, etc. are provided with one or more outer coverings of woven fabric with one end fastened to the roll and the other end free. ln the case of rolls having a resilient padding formed of coiled springs wra ped around the roll such as disclosed 1n app ication Serial No. 245,180, it is important that the covering be fastened so that during the rotation the winding effect on the covering will not produce ridges in the spring padding. Accordingly, a still further feature pertains to the novel method and means for anchoring the roll covering or coverings whereby the tautness and the continuous winding e'ects thereof do not cause any appreciable unevenness in the surface of the sprlng padding proper. Other features and advantages not specifically enumerated will be apparent after a consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims.

For the purpose of illustrating one pre ferred manner of using a spring according to the invention the same will be disclosed as applied to a laundry ironing roll, but it will be understood that this is merely for the purpose of illustration and that its applicability for analogous uses in other ields is within the scope of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. l shows in schematic form the successive steps to he followed in winding a square or rectangular con voluted and nested spring according to the invention. i

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the spring as itis formed according to the method illustrated in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a top view of the spring, loolring in the direction of the lanes of the convolutions. and showingt e alternate short and long loop structure of the top surface of a spring of this construction.

Fig. 4 is a bottom lan view of the spring, looking in the direction of the planes of the convolutions, and showin the staggered equal loop structure of the ottom surface of a spring of this construction.

ig. 5 is a side elevation of a portion of' a spring, according to the invention, with the convolutions spaced or stretched apart.

Fig. 6 is a top plan'view of the spring of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of the spring of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a view showing a portion of a laundry roll equipped with layers of fabric coverings which are spaced a art from the roll proper by a spring according to Figs. 5, 6 and 7. This figure also illustrates one preferred manner of locking the spring against creeping over the roll surface.`

Fig. 9 illustrates a preferred manner of seculiiing the end of a fabric covering to the ro Fig. 10 is an end view of the cover anchoring means of Fig. Sand also shows the manner of uniting the free ends of one of the spring members by caps.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the spring capping means shown in Fi 10 showing the pinched-in character of t e cap.

Fig. 12 is a simplified diagram showing the method of attaching a plurality of separate layers of yfabric coverings at diametricallyopposite points using the anchoring means of F ig. 13 is a plan view of a machine for forming a spring such as illustrated in Figs.

Fig. 14 is a view in elevation of the machine `shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a detail view of the wire bendin means shown in Figs. 13 and 14.

'ing an inclined square or rectangular spring with successive convolutions of different sizes so that each small convolution may nest within the adjacent large convolutions. The nesting e'ect enables the convolutions to be closer together than has heretofore been found possible andwithout curtailing the resiliency when the convolutions are subjected to pres'- sure in a direction transverse to their common axis. This feature is important when such aspring acts as a resilient supporting surface such as is used in laundry rolls or the like since it provides a non-absorbent'resilient support for the fabric covering and also presents a substantially continuous support therefor. As shown in Fig. 1, a length of spring wire of the requisite cross section and preferably of non-corrosive material such as phosphor-bronze, or the like is subdivided into eight smaller lengths and each length is bent substantially at right angles wit respect to the preceding length. In the case of a square spring the lengths 1, 2 and 5 are equal while lengths 4 and 8 are shorter, preferably an amount corresponding` to the thickness of the spring wire. Lengths 1, 2,

3 and 4 are then bent so that they 'normally lie at right angles with each other, thus forming a rectangular convolution and the purpose ofmaking the length 1 shorter than ength 3 is to give the convolutions of the completed sprinsg an inclination, as described 1n application rial No. 284,722. `The succeeding convolution comprises the lengths 5,

suiiicientlyto enable corresponding length 2 of the. convolution 1, v2, 3, 4. 'lhe foregoing described cycle of .bending at predetermined lengths is repeated than the corresponding length 2 of the larger convolution, so that the convolution 5, 6, 7, 8 may, when the spring is in use, enter or nest within the convolution 1, 2, 3, 4. The length 7, it will be understood, is the same as the corresponding lendgth 3 of the large convolution. However, u pression of the spriner the length 7 is inclined 'ength e to at below the throughout'the rest ofthe spring wire, resulting in a structure, as shown in Fig. 2, in which the successive convolutions are adjacent to each other but are progressively displaced along a common axls represented by the dot dash line 2-2. Fig. 2 represents a `top plan view of the spring as it is formed.

Fig. 3 is atop view of the spring looking in the direction of the plane of the convolutions ring `the transverse comand showing the alternate short and long loop structure of the top surface. Fig. 4 is a. bottom plan view of the spring looking in the direction of the plane of the convolutions showing the staggered equal loop structure of the bottom surface. In order to use the spring shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 as a resilient supporting element, such, for example, as employed in laundry rolls, the spring is stretched until the turns thereof assume the desired spacing, for example, as shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. When the spring of Fig. 2 is thus stretched, in side elevation, all the convolutions appear to be of the same height, as shown in Fig. 5. However, when such a spring is locally com ressed in the direction of the arrow the sma convolutions are distorted and the upper ends fit within the lefthand adjacent large convolutions. This acltion will be clearer when considered in connection with Fi 6, which shows a top plan view of the spring of Fig. 5. As shown in this ligure, the length 6 of each small convolution is such that when the s ring is compressed it will freely enter be ow the correspondinglength 2 of the left-hand adjacent large convolution. Fig. 7 illustrates the relation between the bottom lengths of successive large and small convolutions. From a consideration of Figs. 5, 6 and 7, it will be .since duringcompression the upper ends of 6, 7 and 8. As will be seen, length 16 is shorter` the smaller convolutions enter `the larger given substantiall?7 convolutions and therefore do not exhibit the undesired piling up eiect of the former spring. ln ei'ect,', therefore, a spring such as shown in Figs. 5, 6 and7 possesses substantially the same transverse resiliency as the spring of application Serial No. 284,7 22 but has twice the number of convolutions per unit length, thus providing a more nearly continuous upper supporting surface.

Referring to Fig. 8, the spring of Figs. 5, 6 and 7 is shown as applied to a roll periphery such as used in laundry machines. The roll proper comprises a base plate 9 which is profusely perforated, as represented by the numerals l() to provide a. free passage for steam and water vapor to the interior of the roll. The direction of rotation of the roll, is represented by the arrow and it will be noted that the inclined spring is mounted on the roll so that the convolutions slant in afdirection opposite to that ofthe rolls rotation.

In this respect the roll of Fig.l 8 is similar to that disclosed in application Serial No. 245,180 referred tohereinabove. However, 1n the `present embodiment, it is preferred to vcompose the resilient surface of a plurality of separate springs wrapped around the exterior of the base .9 instead of providing a single helically wrapped spring. In addition, in order to preventcreep o the springs over the base9 as the roll is rotated, tabs 11 are suitably struck up from said base to provide slightly hooked prongs for engaging the lower lengths of the spring convolution's. The number of these tabs may be determined in accordance with the size of the spring and the maximumworking pressure to be exerted on the roll.

As shown in Fig. 8, the spring supports a series of fabric coverings comprising an in-l ner covering of duck or canvas 12 which is two complete turns around the springs periphery, and overlapping the last half turn of the canvas is a layer of wool material 13. On top ofthis latter layer is the usual outer layer of muslin. If the duck covering 12 is fastened to the outer surface of the spring padding or if it is4 fastened to the roll 9`by tapes, strips or the like, as the duck is wrapped tighter and tighter by revolving against the heated ironing chest, a portion of the padding in the neighborhood of the fastening means will be locally compressed. This local compression will appear as a longitudinal depression in .the surface of the rolland will mark the goods being ironed. For the purpose of properly anchoringI the fabric covering to the roll so that the inward radial component of the pull resulting from the continual winding edect may not be transmitted to the springs, the inner end of the canvas covering 13, is fastened as shown in Fig. 9, byl means of eyelets 14 which are coupled. to corresponding eyelets formed in looped spring members 15.

As shown clearly in Figs. 9 and 10, the forward end of each member 15 is oset and registers with a corresponding narrow embossed or raised portion 16 in the surface of base 9, while the backward end of the member 1'5 is slightly curved and rests upon the outer surface of the base `9. Thus the fabric coverings may be held against the s ring coverin without the use of permanent astenings to either the springs or the base plate since thc members 15 'are readily placed in position without the use of bolts or other fastening means. With this manner of fastening, v

as the roll rotates, there is a tendency to increase the tightness of the fabric coverings. However, sncethe covering is in eect resiliently attached to the base 9 the compression due to this winding effect is not transmitted to the springs, as would be 'the case if the fabric coverings were attached directly thereto.

Any manner of uniting the free ends of the spring paddin may be employed. However, it is preferre to employ a. cap union'such as illustrated in Fi 1Q wherein opposite ends of each spring on eing wrapped around the roll are rigidly clamped to ether bymeans of a metal cap 17, which has its edges pinched together asshown in Fig. 11.

Referring to Fig. 12 there is shown a novel method of attaching a series of fabric coverings whereby the winding effect on the coverings is relieved during substantially onehalf of each revolution of the roll. As shown in Fig. 12 the roll 9 is providedwith duck or canvas covering for the spring padding which of simplifying the drawings, however, the

Hspring padding is omitted from Fig. 12. In-

stead .of providing a. single length of duck covering which is 'ven two turns around the rollas described m connection with Fig. 8,- the duck covering is divided into two lengths 12 and 12b each of which goes around the roll once, and fastened at diametrically opposite points to the roll by means of elements 15 as described hereinabove. A-heated ironing chest C is shown in cooperative relation with a portion of the roll surface. By means of the two part covering as shown in Fig. 12, the reater portion of the spring padding, whie Aat any given instant is out of registryV with the-steam chest, is allowed to expand. For example, assume that the roll is rotating in the direction ofthe arrow, the s ring last quarter turn of wrapper 12b. Thus the progressive and increasing'tightening which occurs when a single length of duck is employed,is avoided. v

Referring to Figs. 13, 14 and 15, there will now be described a machine for'forming the spring shown in Figs.2, 3 and 4. This machine comprises generally a fixed platform or table 18 which has centrally located therein a forming pin 19. Fastened to the upper surface of the table 18 by screws 20 is a relatively thin plate 21 which has its right-hand edge grooved, as clearly shown in Fig. 14. Cooperating withrthe grooved edge of late 2l is another thin plate 23 which has a s anting upper surface, as shown in Fig. 13 and has its left-hand edge grooved to register with the grooved edge of the plate 21 to provide a guide for the spring wire 33. The standard 24 which carries the forming pin 19 is mounted for rotation in the table 18 and has adjustably fastened thereto at its lower end a slotted arm 25. The slotted arm 25 cooperates with a pin 26 carried by member 27 which is adapted to be rotated through suitable gears 28 and 29 from the driving shaft 30. As shown more clearly in Fig. 15, the upper end 3l 4of the standard I24 has Y most of its surface cut awa with the exception of a segment indicated by the numeral 32. This segment in the normal position of the standard has one edge grooved and in alignment wit-h the corresponding grooved edge of the plate 21. It is clear therefore that when the standard 24 is rotated by means of the pin slot arrangement the wire`33 is bent around the pin 19. The pin slot arrangement is so designed that the wire is carried around the pin to such a point that it is given a normal set of substantially 90. For the purpose of controlling the points at which the wire is to be bent by the member 32, there is provided a movable lstop 34 in the form of a polygonal faced membermounted on a shaft 35 which carries at its lower end a member 36 provided with eight s1ots37. The shaft 35 and the stop 34 are adapted to be rotated in a step by step manner by means of an arm 38 which is fastened like member 42 is fastened to shaft 35 above the member 36 and out of the path of the rotating projection 38. Member 42 is ron vided with cut-out portions 43 which register with a corresponding circular member 44 carried by the shaft 39, said circular member being preferablyv formed integral with the rotating arm 38. If desired, any other well known form of Geneva movement and stop may be employed and the'shaft 35 ma Be rotated and held byI stepping and hol ing pawls as will be apparent. The stop member 34 is so designed that the respectivefaces thereof are displaced from the center of the shaft 35, distances corresponding -to the lengths at which the wire is to be bent. Any

suitable means may be provided for feeding the wire against the stop faces and the relation between the operation of the pin slot 25,

26 and the members 36 and 38 issuch that the wire is first moved forwardly against the stop and then the arm 25 is rotated carrying with it the projection l32 and wire 33 which is thereupon bent around the pin 19. As soon as the wire is thus bent, it is prevented from being fed forward against the stop by member 32 until this member is again restored to the position shown in Fig. 11, i. e. in line with the edge of member 21. When the pin 26 has been advanced to its maximum throw, which is determined by the degree of bend necessary to be given to the wire to enable it to assume a normal 90 bend, the direction of rotation of the arm 25 is reversed and the member 32 is again brought into alignn'ient' with the edge of plate 21. This of course, permits the wire to feed forwar to stop 34. During this return movement of the member 32, the stop 34 is advanced one step to bring another face thereof in registry with the wire and the wire moves against this 4new face. The above operation is cyclically repeated, resulting in a spring such as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. Inasmuch as'different kinds of wire will require dierent adjustments of the machine to give the requisite overhemd the bending segment 32 may be y'adj usted angularly with respect to the center 103 of pin 19 by loosening the screw 45 and turning the standard 24 clockwise or counterclockwise, in accordance with the characteristics of the wire to be bent. In order to equalizer forl the different adjustments of member 32 and to cause said member to be returned to its originally adjusted position for each revolution of member 38, the pin 26 may be adjustably mounted on arm 27.

What I claim is:

1. As a new article of manufacture a convoluted spring having the convolutions inclined to the spring axis, and with portions of adjacent convolutions nesting when sub- Y jeeted to pressure transverse to their common axls.

2. AAs a new article of manufacture a convoluted spring having the convolutions inclined to the spring axis and with corresponding sides of adjacent convolutions of unequal lengths.

3. As a new article of manufacture a convoluted spring having the convolutions in- 'clined to the spring axis, adjacent-convoluasymmetric for -increasing the j tions bein number o convolutions per unit length of spring without substantially curtailing the transverse resiliency thereof.

4. A multi-sided convoluted spring having the convolutions thereof inclined to .the spring axis, and having adjacent convolutions of unequal sizes whereby a portion of one convolution may tit Within a corresponding portion of an adjacent convolution when the spring is subjected to transverse pressure.

5. 'lhe method of increasing the transverse resiliency of a spring With inclined convolutions which comprises making adjacent convolutions of unequal sizes so that one convolution may enter a preceding convolution when the spring is subjected to transverse ressure.

6. n inclined convoluted spring in which all the convolutions have substantially the same height but with alternate convolutions of unequal Widths whereby a portion of one convolution may nest Within the corresponding portion of an adjacent convolution,

7. A spring having multi-sided inclined convolutions with the upper edges of all convolutions lying substantially in the same plane when the spring is normal, and With the upper edges of alternate convolutions displaced when the spring is subjected to transverse pressure.

8. The method of winding an inclined convoluted spring which comprises dividing a spring Wire into equal unit lengths, sub-dividing each chine, a base plate, and a resilient padding mounted thereon, said padding comprising a convoluted skewed spring in which adjacent convolutions differ from each other and alternate convolutions are alike.

11. In a resilient pad for a laundry machine, a base -plate and a resilient padding secured thereto, said padding comprising a convoluted spring having the convolutionsv inclined to the spring ams' and with corresponding convolutions 'of unequal lengths.

12'. ln a resilient pad for a laundry machine, a base plate and a resilient padding mounted thereon, said padding comprising a milti-sided convoluted spring having'the con- -volutio`ns thereof inclined to the spring axis and having adjacentconvolutions of unequal sizes whereby a portion ofone convolution may fit withina corresponding portion 'of an unit length into eight shorter A lengths with the second and sixth lengths un-' adjacent convolution when the spring is subjected to transverse pressure.

13. In a resilient pad for a laundry machine, a base plate, a resilient padding mounted thereon, said paddingcomprising a plurality of convoluted springs positioned around sald plate; and means for uniting the respective ends of said springs, said means comprising a hollow cap member itted over corresponding portions of said respective ens to enclose top and side portions of said en s.

In testimony whereof, l name to this specication, l(lctolcer, 1928.

ARTHUR H. ADAMS.

have signed my 

